My Simple Life/Spanish Roots VI

Today was a curious day.

First of all, it's the first time this year that it's truly felt like the seasons are changing in Chicago. The transition seems to have come at a very late point this year, although every successive year I'm here, it seems to be warmer and warmer in general. This probably isn't the only place on earth that's seeing this, though. Regardless, I was up the creek without a paddle tonight as I was exiting the hospital and discovered the wind had become particularly chilly and strong, and I had no hat or gloves. Will bring those next time.

For the first time, I have become aware that the word "sleep" has lost all usual meaning to me. Maybe it's the nature of my job, watching the latest subject pass out, my becoming a sentient observer of something I am indeed so used to experiencing myself but in a subliminal manner; or maybe it's from seeing everyone's away message tonight--"sleeep," "sleepy sleep sleep," or "sleep--highly recommended"--at 2 AM while I'm still wide awake. To me, sleep has become something amorphous, ethereal. My rhythms have been altered as of late, forced to adjust to the variable nature of my work. But I've found I can easily adapt within a rather short period of time, confirming a process that will likely help me the rest of my life. (Speaking of confirmations, many things recently have been confirmed that I never would have expected.)

Today, I was doing some reflecting--something I'm not so prone to doing since I have essentially zero concentration skills-- and overtly realized that I am coming to a point in my life where simplicity is the name of the game. I believe I have become a bit too materialistic and am searching for ways to purge myself and focus on bigger and more important things I may have missed during my first twenty-one years this planet. Accordingly, I am trying to get rid of a bunch of shit in my apartment (although, granted, a big reason is that I don't even truly have enough space for everything in the first place). I've even been toying with the idea of relocating to a more rural area for grad school and beyond, a move I never previously entertained at all. Part of me still isn't completely happy here, although--don't get me wrong--I am happy to have a secure job and not be living in that abonimation called South Florida.

P.S. - The 147 is the bane of my existence.

More from my Spanish Roots:

Fri., 10/22

I must say I’m in a much better mood than last time I wrote in here. I am back into the swing of things. The weekend should be pretty fun. Tonight, the other guys and I are having a group intercambio/botellón with some Spaniards (hopefully some chicas). I don’t know where we’ll end up, but it’s more fun that way, no? Tomorrow, SBC has a group trip to Ronda. None of us is quite sure what’s there, nor does our family know too much either since they haven’t been there themselves, but I’m sure it’s worth an all-expense paid daytrip.

I’m bummed Mandy won’t be able to make it here! I knew something would go wrong—she always puts off things much longer than even I am prone to do. I wouldn’t have paid $/euro350 in any case, though. And no other weekend will work for her. There’s a very, very slight chance I could see her in London for the Puente, but that’s highly unlikely. I’m excited about Ireland, though, and now maybe Scotland. It looks like I’ll end up going to Cork, Dublin, Blarney, and Edinburgh. The price is right for the airplane tix and we'd have free lodging with Jon’s friends in Dublin and Edinburgh. As soon as Jon confirms plans with his buddy in Scotland, we’ll book the tickets.

I also made contact with the “Club de Remo”/Rowing Club today. I’m pretty sure I will choose the 3x/wk option. For a non-collegiate center, It’s a fairly nice place—a full erg room and bay right across from the dock. I will get to learn to scull in a single, and maybe join a double if Sarah or Zach goes, or if I meet someone else there on the same schedule as mine. Quite exciting.

Mucho ruido, poca nuese = all bark and no bite

Operación gamba = paper-bagger

I’m getting quite annoyed with Jon’s girlfriend calling so much. I guess I should be understanding right now, as the RedSox are in the World Series, but damn, I need some shuteye! But yea for the Sox.

Thurs. 10/28

So the intercambio with the high school people went well. By high school people, I mean 7 17-to-18-year old chicas. I am quite infatuated with Mamen (combo of María and Carmen—cool, huh)--just ask Jon. Paula was the ringleader on the Spaniards' side who set everything up. Apparently she told her friends there would be girls from our program going too, but she lied to get them to come because she knew they wouldn't come if they knew it was just us guys: Harry, Jesse, Zach, Antony, Jon, and me. We had a great time, though. After the awkward period of initial introductions, we proceeded to botellón in a neighborhood where there’s an underground 24-hour liquor store, and in Triana/Feria, where Jon and I got lost two weeks ago. I, as well as most of the other guys, were “más ciego que un tropo.” Jonito and Antonio went to their high school today to give a presentation about Halloween, and to hand out passes for the crazy Halloween party at Boss this Sunday. We’re supposed to party with them tomorrow night as well—fun times! Also, tonight, Jon and I are supposed to go out with Paci and some other Spanish people.

Saturday was the daytrip to Ronda. Most of us were pretty hung over, and I almost didn’t get out of bed that morning; the only thing that made me do it was that Jon wanted to go :p Anyway, there wasn’t too much to do there, but nonetheless it was precioso. Ronda mainly earns its renown from Hemingway's literature about, and vacations to, this quaint city overlooking the countryside. We did a walking tour of the old city, mansions, and bullfighting ring, then had lunch and a little free time. Lunch was cheap and yummy at one of the local tapas bars. Jon, Antony, and I then took the hike down to the near-bottom of the Puente, to behold the gorgeous view of cascading waterfalls that pour out from under the main bridge. I probably took one of my best pictures ever there.

And I finally began sculling in Sevilla. My first day was Tuesday (Monday was pretty rainy). Other than a quick ten minute mini-lecture of sculling-to-sweeping comparison, I was pretty much on my own to learn the new technique. Sergio, el jefe, told me his place is kind of “anti-gimnasio,” which probably isn’t the best method, but hey, it’s the only place I could find that wasn’t too hardcore for my schedule here in Spain. I’m getting the hang of it, though. After figuring out the height and set differences (left hand over right), I got the hang of it. I’ve notice my right side is a bit stronger—either that, or I’m still digging on one side, because I continually steer to starboard. The river is perfect for rowing, though—no wonder it’s a world-famous center. Plenty wide and straight for the most part. The FISA world champsionships were held here a few years ago. Today, I cut a path south through the main party of Sevilla, passing some boats and other tourists on the bridge who took my picture J. Later, I went north, where it’s a perfect straightaway. I’ll probably only scull for one month instead of two, since it won’t pay off with my short schedule in December. But it’s worth it!

I’m having a bit of trouble with my absentee ballot. I sent in what I thought was the official ballot over a month ago, but Monday I received a second ballot that looked even a bit more official. I’m confused since the first one didn’t have any indication that it might have been a sample ballot. I’ve been trying to calling the elections office back home but every time I do it says that all circuits are busy. I left a message on my mom’s phone this afternoon—hopefully she will have gotten in touch by the time I call her tonight. I can’t believe the election is in less than a week…

Carbonería is quickly becoming the hangout spot for our clique. I hope we don’t go there much more, though—it’s really noisy and smoky and you can’t really hear or see the flamenco unless you have one of the coveted few seats up close. Monday night, Jon and I went to meet Becky and her boyfriend who was in town, and Emily and Mallory. They kept asking me about my “girlfriend,” whether I had one, etc.--interesting… Tuesday night I went with Jon and María to meet Antonio and Zach for their FunkyClub “business” meeting, i.e. free beers and more Carbonería/Bar Levies. ¡Muchos pases por gratis con copa esta vez!

El puente de Ronda

Gateway to Ronda

Plaza de Toros